[en] Low-level radioactive wastes contain a wide variety of substances that are both radioactive and chemically hazardous. While the radioactive characteristics of these wastes have been defined, chemical components have been ignored from a management and regulatory point of view. In this paper, a methodology for comparing the hazards of various chemicals quantitatively with those of radioactive materials is presented in the form of a Waste Classification System. The system considers the hazards of materials based on intrinsic toxicity, persistence through time, availability to a human receptor, and buildup of decay or degradation products. The system has been applied to a number of materials to show its versatility. Examples are provided. 12 references, 3 tables